Source: MDPI

The Fascinating World of Rare-earth-doped Tungstate Crystals

Tungstate Crystal Materials

Rare-earth-doped tungstate crystals, such as ytterbium-doped monoclinic double tungstates Yb:KGW and Yb:KYW, have gained popularity in the development of solid-state lasers. These crystals are used in a variety of lasers, including tunable lasers and femtosecond lasers. Other rare earth dopants like neodymium, erbium, thulium, praseodymium, and europium can also be incorporated into tungstate crystals.

Properties of Rare-earth-doped Tungstates

Rare-earth-doped tungstate crystals possess unique characteristics that make them ideal for various applications. For example, ytterbium-doped double tungstates are preferred for passive mode locking due to their high gain bandwidth, large cross-sections, and good thermal properties. These crystals are known for their efficiency in continuous-wave high-power thin-disk lasers, outperforming materials like Yb:YAG in terms of efficiency.

Tetragonal Double Tungstates

Another group of crystals, the tetragonal double tungstates like Yb:NGW and Yb:NYW, offer interesting properties. Unlike monoclinic crystals, tetragonal tungstates have a disordered structure, leading to broader gain bandwidths. While some of these crystals require specialized growth methods for high quality, others can be grown using common techniques like the Czochralski method.

Conclusion

Rare-earth-doped tungstate crystals play a crucial role in the field of solid-state lasers, offering a unique combination of properties that make them highly desirable for various laser applications. With ongoing research and advancements in crystal growth techniques, these crystals continue to drive innovation in laser technology.

Source: SPIE
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